4 injured in 3-vehicle collision; motorcycle later run over by minivan

HURRICANE — Four people were injured after a motorhome driver decided to make a U-turn in the middle of state Route 9.

Three people were traveling in a rental 2003 Ford Class C motorhome at approximately 12:20 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The RV was driven by a 24-year-old male.

An RV, a car and a pickup truck tangled on state Route 9 Saturday afternoon. Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 6, 2016 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

“The driver pulled out onto SR-9 onto the shoulder,” Hurricane City Police Sgt. Brandon Buell said. “He was traveling westbound on the shoulder. The driver realized he was going the wrong direction, attempted to make a U-turn…in front of a Nissan Frontier.”

The motorhome struck the Nissan Frontier. When the motorhome came to rest, another car, a 2006 Toyota Corolla, was unable to stop before hitting the Ford RV.

The three occupants of the motorhome were uninjured, as was the driver of the Toyota Corolla.

The passengers of the Nissan Frontier were not so lucky, however.

The driver — an adult male — was not injured. His passengers, a juvenile male riding in the truck bed, two adult females and a 10-year-old male all sustained minor injuries and were taken by ambulance to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George. A 2-year old boy riding in a child restraint device did not appear to be injured but was transported as a precaution.

The driver of the motor home was cited for an improper U-turn.

All three vehicles were towed from the scene of the crash. Traffic was slowed to one lane in each direction for approximately an hour while crews investigated and cleaned up the scene.

A wrecked motor home sits in the middle of state Route 9 after a collision with an SUV. At the left is a motorcycle followed by a minivan that was involved in an accident seconds after this picture was taken. Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 6, 2016 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

The day was not over for the responders, however, as 30 minutes later a motorcycle that had stopped at the accident scene was rear-ended by a minivan.

“A 1994 Mercury Villager van traveling westbound…was looking over at the accident and did not realize the traffic had stopped,” Buell said.

The Mercury Villager basically ran over the motorcycle dragging it several feet before being able to stop.The rider was able to step away from his motorcycle and escaped injury, Buell said. Neither the driver or the rider required transport to the hospital.

The Mercury Villager driver was cited for following too close. Neither vehicle had to be towed.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

"I wrote my first word when I was very young. I enjoyed this so much I decided to write many more words."
A native of Pacific Palisades, Calif., Ric was bitten by the news bug as a staff writer and associate editor of the Palisades High School Tideline. After school he entered the media as a radio personality, both playing music and reporting news. Ric moved to St. George in the 1980s and was the morning personality on all three major AM stations in town. An avid amateur radio operator, Ric is looking for a good band to play in, as he plays keyboards, bass and guitar. Ric lives in the center of St. George with his partner Terri, two snoring dogs and too many neurotic cats.

This is absolutely terrible. It’s tragic that things like this happen. but thank the Lord there was no loss of life. everyone will be able two go home two their loved ones .bless each and every one of them.

But that is a good question Bob just what is the source of your brain damage ? what do you think it is. …..enjoy your day while you ponder the source of your brain damage ! may the good lord watch over you .